It is being reported by many news outlets that, Pakistan-US relations are facing an epic dilemma, in the wake of the famous Bin Laden raid.Many are referring to this situation as the biggest crisis since 9/11.
Pakistan has always been regarded as an integral and strategic ally of the US,in the region to tackle terrorism,and the Army has also been a loyal collaborator of the US, to eradicate terrorism.However, this era of friendship might be heading for an end, if apparent feuding continues.
Feuds are erupting between the two states over increased US drone attacks in Pakistan,stalled peace talks in Afghanistan, rising sects of terror groups in Pakistan, and the infamous Raymond Davis case ,has added to the tensions between US-Pakistan relations.
Now,the legality of the Bin Laden raid, questioned by Pakistan has angered US officials and the White House.The Pakistan government officials have stated that the US may have breached its sovereignty laws,by secretly executing the raid, and excluding the assistance of PAK forces.
In turn, the Obama administration has questioned the loyalty of the PAK government, accusing them of exercising weak counter-terrorism strategies, and failing to locate the strong support network of Bin Laden, which enabled him to hide in the region of Abbottabad undetected for such a long period of time.Some even implicating that the US believes the PAK government was harbouring Bin Laden.The CIA has also voiced its concern over the commitment of Pakistan in the Bin Laden case,stating that they feared that if they had alerted the PAK officials, then they may have alerted Bin Laden.
To further hint the rift and declining relations between US-Pakistan alliance,General Shuja Pasha,head of the ISI of Pakistan, has made a state visit to Washington, to meet CIA Director Leon Panetta, and initiate talks with the US government on the whole matter.
What ever the truth, and situation, I think it would be an utter shame for the US-Pakistan relations to deteriorate at such a crucial time,especially in the wake of the Bin Laden capture,a common goal.The two states have been solid allies for nearly a decade, and have a strong history, i.e the Afghan-Soviet war, and need to lay their futile differences aside, in order to the conquer terrorism globally.
It is simple:if the US-PAK relations disintegrate, then the terrorists win, as causing rifts and feuds between the Western Alliance and the Muslim governments is an aim of the Islamists, in the first place.
Lets hope both states can see the bigger picture.
